Laser diffraction reliably measures particle size distributions in complex samples, but it struggles to accurately detect smaller particles when larger ones dominate the mix.
Image Credit: Vision Analytical Inc.
This article explains why this happens and how Vision Analytical’s Hydro Insight can address this limitation.
Laser Diffraction and Particle Size Contrast
Laser diffraction estimates particle size by measuring the intensity of scattered light, but light scatter from large particles is so dominant that it effectively masks the weaker signal from smaller particles.
This causes the system to underestimate or entirely miss the fine particle fraction, even though these smaller particles could be key to the performance of a process or product.
Adding Hydro Insight to the Malvern Mastersizer 3000
Hydro Insight uses Dynamic Image Analysis (DIA), enabling users to view and quantify smaller particles. DIA differs from laser diffraction in that it uses direct imaging to measure each particle individually. This provides:
- High-resolution images suitable for visual verification
- Number-weighted distributions that show the true particle population
- Volume-weighted distributions that closely align with laser diffraction results
Advantages of Hydro Insight and the Mastersizer 3000
The Malvern Mastersizer 3000 delivers rapid, repeatable measurements, making it the ongoing industry benchmark for laser diffraction particle sizing. Pairing this instrument with Hydro Insight offers users a more comprehensive picture, however:
- Laser diffraction provides precise volume-weighted data.
- Hydro Insight shows the images, shape, and count of small particles.
This combination of data ensures complete confidence in results.
Conclusion
Hydro Insight can detect small particles usually hidden from laser diffraction, making dynamic image analysis an ideal complement to traditional laser diffraction, particularly when sample heterogeneity is a key factor.
It’s the Small Things That Matter | Why Hydro Insight Complements the Malvern Mastersizer 3000
Video Credit: Vision Analytical Inc.
Undetectable on other techniques, Dynamic Image Analysis. Seeing is believing.
Here is a second video that goes into more detail on how the Hydro Insight is complementary to the Malvern Mastersizer 3000. Video Credit: Vision Analytical Inc.
Undetectable by laser diffraction: Dynamic Imaging Reveals Hidden Frac Sand Particles
To see an in-depth side-by-side analysis of the Hydro Insight with the Malvern Mastersizer 3000. Video Credit: Vision Analytical Inc.
Acknowledgments
Produced from materials originally authored by Vision Analytical Incorporated.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by Vision Analytical Inc.
For more information on this source, please visit Vision Analytical Inc.